Today, at Van Cortland Manner
In Westchester, NY
Robert Olsen performed
In period (1790)
And the small audience under the tree
Was spellbound.

After the the show and he was in street clothes
I walked over and said hello.

We spoke after about choosing material
And about audience rapport
And about things in old books
And about people we both met who were collectors.

When you meet a magician
What do you talk about?

Depends on the magician. With some I remanis. With some I learn, soak up the experience like a sponge. With some I argue about any number of things. With some I do all three.

I haven't met, in person, any magicians for many years. It's been many years since I've talked to a magician.

Was happy to meet someone who knows what's in Discoverie of Witchcraft, remembers Neal Cee and Charles Kalish and also has met Mickey silver.

What books do you have?
I really like that one, too.
I've had it for years.

This one makes me think.
Have you ever worked with it?
Have you thought of this?

Honestly, as friends,
Please don't tell me your secrets.
I don't want to know.

So what do you do for fun other than magic or work??
Depending on who I ask this raises an eyebrow
cheers chris

Ever tip a cow??

"Whose booking these?"

I think anyone who has been in magic for a long time would understand how funny that really is!

I am strange. I meet quite few magicians, and almost never talk about magic.

That's the point. Magicians are people first. Some of them just don't know that.

I am glad to talk magic with anyone that has the interest anytime. If I have time that is. It is interesting that many people that book magicians into festivals and other venues often used to do magic, or do magic as a hobby, or know a close friends that is into magic.

I can't tell you how many time I have done close up in a mall or a restaurant and one of the people booking say's something like that they used to work on the cups and balls, or used to do card effects.

Showing an interest in them often makes for friendships and good magic friends can help bookings. Showing an interest in others and reaching out to the audience I feel is something that magicians should do as part of the job.

Just some thoughts.

I agree with Michael Baker. I prefer to NOT talk magic with magicians. There are so many other interesting things to learn about people than stuff I already know, or at least know about.

That's not the same as Bish's example though. He's talking to magic fans about magic after a show, not other magicians. I can go to a magic convention, and not ever be tempted to even open a deck of cards.

I just learned that I share this attitude with people like Scotty York. I just read in his "Rumor in his own Time" book about why he avoided magic conventions. It's harsh, brutally honest, and the word censors here would just chop it up anyway, so it's best I don't repeat it here.

Hey Dave... ever tip a cow??

~michael

Odd for someone who grew up in the Midwest, but I led a rather isolated life on military bases. I know people who did though. My ex-wife, for one.